MBSR 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course

We all have the resourcefulness to live mindfully but in this world of ‘doing’ we have simply forgotten how. This 8 week MBSR course allows us to move deeper into the mindfulness practices. As this process unfolds, we learn how to respond from a wholehearted place rather than react from old patterns of behaviour. This empowers us to shape our inner and outer world as we explore the experiences of being human.

Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the MBSR Eight Week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre in 1979, to enable people to learn new ways of handling difficult feelings, thoughts and physical sensations and become more able to systematically work with stress, pain, illness, and the challenges and demands of everyday life.

30 years of published research indicates that the majority of people who complete the course report:

An increased ability to relax and an improvement in quality and duration of sleep

The ability to cope more effectively with stress and anxiety, depression, anger and panic states

The ability to cope better with chronic pain and reduction in pain levels

In the first four weeks we lay the foundation for applying mindfulness in our lives. Developing concentration and becoming conscious of the movements of our mind and body. The second four weeks we begin to understand our habitual patterns and perception of the moment, learning skills to meet and respond to lifes rich experiences. ‘Building the mindfulness muscle’ requires intention and attention so a personal commitment to home practice is key along with support and gentle encouragement.

The course is largely experiential, each session consisting of meditation or “practice” and the opportunity to explore and share in a supportive group environment experiences of the practices both within the group and at home.

Meditation practices include the body scan, mindfulness of breathing, sound, body and thoughts, mindful movement, mindful walking, loving kindness meditation, mountain meditation and mindful eating. There will also be an exploration of how to bring mindfulness into our daily life, work and communication with others, and how mindfulness can help with stress and anxiety. An additional guided silent day is included to immerse yourself more in the practices.

Initial no obligation telephone chat – A 20 minute interview to answer any questions you may have, and discuss whether the course is right for you at this time.

Home Practice – 45 mins / 6 days out of 7, mindfulness meditations or gentle mindful movements, as well as mindful daily life activities.

Mindfulness Audio and Workbook – To support you in your mindfulness practice and learning, offering an opportunity for reflection of your experiences.

Trainer Support – Whenever you feel the need for extra support in between classes, or would just like to talk some things through, you can contact me by phone or email

Commitment

This course is highly experiential and requires reasonable commitment. Changing our ways is not always easy. This is almost always true learning a new skill. Learning to bring closer attention to our experience can be challenging before a greater sense of ease can emerge. However the majority of people who have completed the MBSR course say that they have found the experience extremely beneficial and rewarding.

Dates & Times

You need to be able to commit to between 45 – 60 minutes a day of self practice. You may also like to consider the “Finding Peace in a Frantic World” course if you feel the commitment for this course is a little too demanding.